Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1887-03-11
CHAPTER x.

ShAt a.
Positive rebellion came; open war
fare between Oscar Dalrymple aud his
tenants. The notice of rcnt-raising,
served upon several, had been with
drawn, and notice to quit substituted.
To Farmer Lee amongst others. The
farms wrr' let over their heads, and it
was known that the next thing would
be- ejrctmcnt- The whole ncighbor-
hood, formerly SO peaceful. was in cx-
citemcnt.
Michaelmas day was very near. and
a meeting was held one night at
Farmer Lees. 1t could not be called
secret meeting. for the farmer would
have disdained the name, but several
stole to it with caution, conscious that
their hearts were ready to speak
treason against their landlord.
"Have We heard the fresh move
mentp" asked Farmer Watkins, when
he entered.
"Tve heard it." responded an eager
voice. "Thoms is out"
"How I'D they get him out at lastP"
"Unrootfed him"
..Nor'
"They did. As they did last week
by the huts on the common. Its shame
full"
1.-The next ejectment will be me-"
said Farmer Lee They won't have
to unroof this. though, for l shall 60
ont quiet. when the time comes."
lyon WILT" echoed q nelgnpcr, IN
surprise.
whats the good of holding outp It
would only draw down expenses and
trouble upon us. They have got the
law upon their side. Wen talk it
over presently when all have come In,
but think we must decide to give up.
and what one does. all had better do"
Give in to hardship" roared a
farmer.
The thing is this" said Mr.. Lee,
who was the largest holder on the es-
tate, won't it make the hardship
worse to defy them?"
"Well, let Dalrymple look to him.
SELF" significantly observed Farmer
Bumford. He'll get served out, may
be-"
How can hep" We have no power
to serve him out"
1--WE haven't; and should be afraid
to use it, perhaps, if we had. But that
unfortunate lot he elected from the
common, they aren't afraid They are
all collecting there now, ms came by.
and if there amt mischief brewing.
my names not Dick Bumford.
"What do you think they will do?"
asked Miss Judith Lee, who had en-
tered to bring a large silver tankard of
ale, and heard the last sentence with
awe.
"Why, they'll duck Dalrymplc in
the nearest horse-pond, the first time
they catch him abroad: that's my opin-
ion," answered jolly Mr.. Bumford.
us that alp" said Miss Judith, II
feared you meant worse, for they are
. lawless lot, if provoked. A ducking
would do him good. Poor things"
she added. "it's enough to make them
| lawless; the roofs torn off their heads
and they forced ont. thought till
now that such practices were confined
to Ireland. What is he razing the cot
tages to the ground for?"
ITO build up 6ouscs in their stead,
which is what he means to do by
ThOms' cottage. No danger that Os-
car Dalrymple will go and unr ,of
houses unless they are to come down;
he won't cost himself useless penny"
The unfortunate lot, spoken of by
Mr.. Bumford were collecting on the
outskirts of the common. in view of
their late homes, and had Mr.. Dalrym-
pie appeared then, he might have been
thankful to escape with only ducking,
for anger and revenge were at work
within them. The group were in harsh
converse, when footsteps were heard
advancing, and they turned their sullcn
faces toward the sound.
Who should it be but Mrs. Dalrymple
of the Grange, Oscars wife. She had
been spending the day with her mother,
| and was now going home escorted by
Reuben. She affected to look another
way, perhaps afraid to look toward
them. One of the body advanced and
stood in her way.
You'd hurry by, would your" said
he, in tone that spoke more of plant
than threat. won't you turn your
eyes once to the ruin your husband has
wrought Look at the mud and NOR
tar! If the walls warn't of brick or
costly stone, they was good enough for
us. Look at the spot! Them was our
homes"
Selma trembled visibly. She was
aware of the awful feeling abroad
against her husband. and q dread
rushed into her heart that they nigh,
be going to visit it on her.
Reuben spoke up; but he was old
and weak, and powerless against 80
many, and he knew it; therefore his
tone was more conciliating than it
would otherwise have been.
"What do you mean by molesting
Mrs. DalrympleP Stand away, Dyke,
and let her pass. You wouldn't hurt
her; if she Is Mr.. Dalrymple's wife,
she was the squire's daughter and he
was always good to YOU"
Stand away yourself, old man. Who
said we was a going to hurt herp"
roughly rctorted Dyke. "Tain't like
~, and you've said the reason why.
Ma'am, do you see them ruinsP Docs
they make you blushP"
IL am very sorry to see them, Dyke"
answered Mrs: Dalrymple. ut is no
fault of mine"
lis it hard upon us or not, that we
snoulo DC turned out OF the poor roofs
that sheltered us? We paid our bit of
rent, all on us, not one was defaulter.
How would you like to be turned out
OF your home, and told the poor-house
was aforc you and order for it, If YOU
liked to 60 there?"
Il can only say how very sorry l
am," returned Mrs. Dalrymple, much
distressed; as well as terrified. II wish
could help you. l wish l could put
you into better cottages tomorrow,
but am as powerless as you are"
"Will you tell him to do itp We are
. coming up to ask him. Will you tell
him to come out and face us and look
at them ruins, and then 90 and see
our wives and babies budding in
barns, lent us out O. charityp Tell him,
a'am, please"
Dyke moved away, and Mrs. Dali
rymple lost no time in speeding away
to the Grange. Reuben, when he had
seen her safe in, returned home.
MIR. Dalrymple was in the oak par
l0r cOmfOrtleSs md cold look;pn a.